A great look starts from the ground up, so finding base makeup that works for you is kinda sorta the most important thing. It brings to mind that oft-used phrase that if the foundation is strong, the whole structure can last ages. We're pretty sure whoever came up with it was referring to architecture, but we believe it holds true for your makeup look, too. A gorgeous complexion is a masterpiece of a look on its own, a cosmetic statement that says, I know 80 ways how to use a goddamn Beautyblender, and nothing can stop me now. When your foundation, concealer, contour, and/or bronzer are just the way you like them, it's a pretty invincible feeling — though one that's only as invincible as the products you use. Over the past year, we’ve slathered, blended, brushed, set, and sculpted with scores upon scores of base products to narrow down the champions for 2018: the best complexion-perfecting products you can get your hands on and your brushes in. And once you've found your base — whether that’s a full-coverage foundation, a concealer you can use for every bump and blemish, or a skin tint that makes it look like you’re wearing nothing at all — you can keep on building your beauty look with even more stellar products by checking out the entire list of Allure's Best of Beauty winners. — Sable Yong

KKW Beauty Powder Contour & Highlight Kit lets us contour with a capital K (as in Kardashian). The large compact holds two highlighters and a pair of matte sculpting powders for creating surreal definition; a dual-ended brush blends and buffs.

Hydrating and vitamin-rich, Tan-Luxe The Face transforms your daily moisturizer into an antioxidant cocktail, and your skin into golden perfection. Add a few drops for a light tint; mix in several more for deeper color.